Fresno Runner

Summer running, as told through Leslie Knope gifs

Running is great! Except when it’s not. I may run a website about running but I actually find it really hard to run in the summer. I’m cold all the time, yet when I’m running I turn into a delicate flower and begin to wilt around 75 degrees. So when it’s 100 (or even 85) degrees out, I don’t always have the greatest attitude. How do I really feel about summer running? I’m going to let badass fictional lady Leslie Knope walk you through this one.

I tell myself I need to run.

So I give myself a pep talk.

And lace up my shoes.

I’m looking forward to this! I have high hopes for this run.

Here we go:

This isn’t so bad!

Mile 2 … it’s a lot hotter than it seemed five minutes ago. And why has my tracking app been paused for the past five minutes?

Mile 8 … seriously, it’s really hot.

I’m beginning to regret every life choice I’ve made leading up to this moment.

I consider ordering a Lyft to take me home but reason prevails.

I just need to get through these last two miles. I imagine getting a high five from Michelle Obama. (I didn’t just make this up because there was a gif of it; I’ve got a Michelle Obama quote on one of my shoes.)

(I’m gonna put this gif of Joe Biden here, just because)

A quarter-mile to go! I’m gonna do this!

And just like that, the run is over. I feel disgusting.

Time to cool down:

I may feel disgusting, but I did it. Time to celebrate!

Honestly, I’m feeling a little smug right now.

Time to treat myself. I deserve it.

(Leslie Knope, as portrayed by Amy Poehler, is a fictional character from the television comedy Parks and Recreation, which ran on NBC from 2009-2015. Go find it on Netflix and watch it. You’re welcome.)